Overvoltage fastening tool

ABSTRACT

An overvoltage fastening tool is disclosed having a quadrangular and parallelepiped-shaped container (A), a sensor (B), and a manual operating means (C).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention claims priority to Argentina Application No. 20130103874 filed Oct. 24, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

N/A

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention consists of an overvoltage fastening tool.

To make this invention understandable so that it can easily be implemented in practice, the following paragraphs contain a precise description of a preferred way of implementation. Such description is completed with diagrams for illustrating the invention; such description and diagrams shall not be considered as limiting the invention.

The components to which reference is made in the description can be selected among various equivalents without implying any departure from the invention principles established in this document.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

During installation or extraction activities of equipment and tools, such as for instance electric submersible pumps, it may happen that as a result of human or material failures, such tools or equipment become detached and drop to the bottom of the well. When such event happens with the electric submersible pumps, as it also occurs with other equipment and tools, the cable that feeds the pump drags the reel holding it and the reel holder. Understandably, this happens within a few seconds and the cable, as well as the reel and reel holder, sweep away whatever stands in the way and may cause human and material losses.

The inventor has considered that a tool that can prevent the sliding away of such components will minimize risks and has considered that this can be achieved by preventing the sliding or slipping away of the cable immediately after the equipment or the tool becomes detached. For this purpose, the inventor has determined that since the cable is the nexus between the equipment or the tool lowered into the well and the reel, reel holder, and surface equipment, a development that permits stopping its movement will prevent damages at the surface.

Also, the inventor has considered that the invention must permit the fall of the equipment or BES (ESP-Electric Submersible Pump) for its subsequent recovery.

Therefore, it is the purpose of the invention to obtain an overvoltage fastening tool that operates autonomously and automatically for safety purposes during the installation or extraction activities of tools and equipment in wells where piping and cables are present as is the case with oil and water wells, and the like. It is also a purpose of the invention to safeguard the integrity of personnel assigned to such activities. It is also a purpose of the invention to protect the equipment and tools that are being installed or extracted as well as those that may be affected by such operations. Another purpose of the invention is to permit easy recovery of the tools and equipment that have dropped to the bottom of the well as a result of the event.

The sensor activates in the event of an abnormal sliding or slipping of the cable when the latter is moving towards the bottom of the well.

In the event of cutting or breaking cables that supply equipment or tools, solutions provided by the previous state of the art are unknown.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To make this invention understandable so that it can easily be implemented in practice, the following paragraphs contain a precise description of a preferred way of implementation. Such description is completed with diagrams for illustrating the invention, such description and diagrams shall not be considered as limiting the invention. The components to which reference is made in the description can be selected among various equivalents without implying any departure from the invention principles established in this document.

The overvoltage fastening tool of the present invention includes three components: a first component to hold and fasten the cable of the tool or equipment; a second component having a sensor that activates the operation of the first component when any of the conditions take place for which it has been regulated; and, a third component that consists of a key that permits manual operation of the first component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings and attachments in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a cutaway view that permits viewing the cable fastening mechanism;

FIG. 2 contains a diagram showing a view of an oil extraction tower, the reel, the reel holder, and the supply cable of an electric submersible pump;

FIG. 3 contains a diagram of the third component of the present invention that includes manual operating means;

FIG. A1 is another view of the container;

FIG. A2 is a further view of the container;

FIG. B is a sensor; and

FIG. C is a manual operating means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The accompanying figures include references enabling the individualization the various parts and components of the invention. In such figures, the same references show equal parts or components. Consequently, reference number 1 identifies an opening; 2 a handle; 3 a tube or line; 4 a clamp; 5 a fastening component; 6 a stop; 7 a cable; 8 an outside section; 9 an inside section; 10 an arm; 11 an intermediate piece; 12 a cam; 13 a stem; 14 a piston; 15 a cylinder; 16 a valve; 17 a high pressure hose; 18 an electric connector; 19 a button; and, 20 an elastic means. Finally, the letter “A” indicates a container; letter “B” indicates a sensor; and, letter “C” indicates a manual operating means or device.

The Operation of the Invention

Once the various components of the invention have been developed to explain their nature, they are complemented subsequently with their functional and operational relationship and the result they provide.

With the purpose of obtaining an overvoltage fastening tool, three components are provided: the first one is a container A, which is made up of a quadrangular parallelepiped-shaped body; the second one includes a sensor B; and, the third is a manual operating means C.

Even if the overvoltage fastening tool to be described has been designed to prevent damage caused by the retrieval or detachment of the electric submersible pumps when the supply cable is detached or cut, one thing is certain: it can be applied to any other equipment or tool that must be introduced or extracted from a well since the risks associated with the detachment or the breaking of the supply cable or the supporting cable are identical.

It must be clarified that the inventor has mainly taken into account electric submersible pumps since these are associated with ground service equipment having a size and weight so as to cause considerable damage. The inventor has also considered that such equipment is being operated by personnel whose physical wellbeing might be seriously affected in those cases when the invention is applied.

On the basis of what is explained, hereinafter the term equipment designates a tool that requires a power cable, such as for instance an electric submersible pump.

The first of the components included in the overvoltage fastening tool is the container A for which dimensions vary on the basis of the requirements to which it may be subjected. The material of such container A is any suitable material such as for instance corrosion resistant metal and arranged in the mouth or intake of an oil well.

At the bottom base of the container A, an orifice of an appropriate size is provided to permit the entry and centering of the production line and of the bottom equipment. In one of its sides, previously selected according to the need of the installation location, an opening 1 is provided occluded with a removable blind cover in the event of enabling the outflow of oil such as for instance in the event of moving the well.

At each side of the opening 1, a handle 2 is provided so that both components make it possible to secure the container A to the BOP (blow-out preventer) valve. In the upper base of the container A, an orifice is provided with an adequate size to permit access to the production line as well as to an equipment to be installed or removed.

Inside the container A, a line 3 is provided that has an upper section where a clamp 4 is located and a lower section where a cutoff component 5 is provided. It is facing a stop 6 against which it makes contact when the sensor B signal is triggered or it activates against the manual operating medium C.

The clamp 4 is located on the internal surface of line 3 and the free space of the latter can be arranged to hold or release the cable 7 which links the equipment to a supply source. Even though in this documentation, reference 7 indicates a cable, the term also covers interchangeably a hose so that the reference alludes to any of them.

In order to permit the regulation of the free space of the line 3, the latter consists of an outside section 8 and an internal section 9 where the external section 8 is fixed while the internal section 9 is attached to an arm 10 for which the lower end has a point of articulation with an intermediate part 11 linked to a cam 12 activated by the stem 13 and a piston 14.

When as a result of the incoming fluid, the piston 14 is displaced inside the cylinder 15, it pushes the end of the cam 12 to which it is connected downward, and provides an ascending movement to the other end of the cam. As a result of the special shape of the cam 12, the rise of the end pushes the arm 10 and moves it in the direction of the external section 8 of the tube 3, thus permitting the clamp 4 to close against the cable 7 and holding it.

Since one end of the cutting component 5 is also connected to the cam 12, the rise of the end pushes it forward until the edge makes contact with the stop 6. This results in securing the cable 7. When the securing takes place, the equipment drops towards the bottom of the well without carrying with it the cable remnants since the cable is held in the safety tool.

The stem 13 is pushed to leave the cylinder 15, thus displacing the cam 12 as a result of the inflow of fluid coming from a valve 16 connected to a high pressure hose 17 linked to a deposit. When the sensor B detects a displacement of the cable 7, it acts through a signal of an electric connector 18 that sends the fluid from the deposit and through the high pressure hose 17 and the valve 16 towards the cylinder 15 pushing the piston 14.

As mentioned before, the third component of the invention is a manual operating means C that includes a button 19 that as soon as it is pressed, activates the electric connector 18 which like in the case of an automatic trip, pushes the fluid from the deposit to the cylinder 15.

Once the emergency has ended, the electric connector 18 is closed (deactivated), the fluid flow toward the cylinder 15 ceases. At that time, the elastic means 20 located between the arm 10 and the internal section 9 expands and pushes the arm 10 towards the at-rest position, pulling with it the securing element 5 and the cam 12.

As the cam 12 returns to its original position, it brings the stem 13 upward whereby the head of the piston 14 pushes the fluid through the valve 16 and the high pressure hose 17 towards the deposit.

When the arm 10 returns to its original position, it displaces the internal section 9 by opening the clamp 4 which releases the cable 7.

The fluid to which reference is made can be of any type; with it, one can adapt the invention to the particular conditions of each specific case. As such, it can be hydraulic, electric or gaseous fluid.

On the rear face of the container A, a removable blind cover is located that permits access to the inside.

This summarizes one of the possible sequences of stages that implement the invention and the manner in which it works and the documentation is complemented with the synthesis of the invention contained in the claim clauses that follow.

The Technical Components of the Invention

It includes a quadrangular and parallelepiped-shaped container A; a sensor B, and a manual operating means C.

The container A has an access orifice at its lower base that permits the entry and centering of the production tube and bottom equipment; an opening 1 occluded with an extractable blind cover at one of its sides; an access orifice at its upper base that permits the entry to the production tube as well as to an equipment to be installed or to be removed and a removable blind cover that permits access to its inside from the back.

Inside the container A, a tube 3 is provided that has an upper section where a clamp 4 is located and a lower section that provides a cutoff 5 component that faces a stop 6 against which contact is made when the sensor B signal is tripped or it acts against the manual operating means C.

The clamp 4 is located in the internal surface of the tube 3 for which the free space can be arranged to secure or release the cable 7 that links the equipment with a supply source. The tube 3 has a fixed external section 8 and an internal section 9 connected to an arm 10 where, at its lower end, it forms a point of articulation with an intermediate part 11 connected to a cam 12 operated by the stem 13 of a displaceable piston 14 within a cylinder 15 as soon as a fluid is entering that pushes an end of the cam 12 downward and elevates the other that pushes the arm 10 in the direction of the external section 8 of the line 3 that closes the clamp 4 against the cable 7.

The rise of the cam 12 end pushes the cutoff component 5 forward until the edge makes contact with the stop 6 securing the cable 7. As a result of the displacement of cable 7, its sensor B activates an electric connector 18 that sends the fluid from the deposit and through the high pressure hose 17 and the valve 16 to the cylinder 15 pushing the piston 14 downward.

The manual operating means C includes a button 19 that activates the electric connector 18 that pushes the fluid from the deposit to the cylinder 15 and once the emergency has ended, the electric connector 18 closes or deactivates and ceases the fluid flow in the direction of the cylinder 15 so that the elastic means 20 arranged between the arm 10 and the internal section 9 expand and pushes the arm 10 towards the at-rest position that displaces the internal section 9 and opens the clamp 4, releasing the cable 7 and pulling the cutoff component 5 and the cam 12 that drives the stem 13 upward pushing the flow through the valve 16 and the high pressure hose 17 towards the deposit.

Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be protected otherwise than as specifically described. 

We claim:
 1. An overvoltage fastening tool comprising: a quadrangular and parallelepiped-shaped container (A); a sensor (B); and a manual operating means (C); the container (A) having an access orifice at its lower base permitting the entry and centering of the production tube and bottom equipment; an opening (1) occluded with an extractable blind cover at one of its sides; an access orifice at its upper base permitting the entry to a production tube as well as to an equipment to be installed and to be removed and a removable blind cover permitting access to its inside from the back; the container (A) further having a tube (3) with an upper section where a clamp (4) is located and a lower section providing a cutoff component (5) that faces a stop (6) against which contact is made when the sensor (B) signal is tripped or when acting against the manual operating means (C); the clamp (4) being located in the internal surface of the tube (3) for which a free space can be arranged to secure or release a cable (7) linking the equipment with a supply source; the tube (3) having a fixed external section (8) and an internal section (9) connected to an arm (10) where at its lower end, it forms a point of articulation with an intermediate part (11) connected to a cam (12) operated by a stem (13) of a displaceable piston (14) within a cylinder (15) as soon as a fluid entering pushes an end of the cam (12) downward and elevates the other that pushes the arm (10) in the direction of the external section (8) of the line (3) that closes the clamp (4) against the cable (7); the rise of the cam (12) end pushings the cutoff component (5) forward until the edge makes contact with the stop (6) securing the cable (7); as a result of the cable (7) displacement, the sensor (B) activates an electric connector (18) that sends the fluid from the deposit and through a high pressure hose (17) and a valve (16) to the cylinder (15) pushing the piston (14) downward; the manual operating means (C) including a button (19) that activates the electric connector (18) that pushes the fluid from the deposit to the cylinder (15) and once the emergency has ended, the electric connector (18) closes or deactivates and ceases the fluid flow in the direction of the cylinder (15) so that elastic means (20) arranged between the arm (10) and the internal section (9) expand and push the arm (10) towards the at-rest position that displaces the internal section (9) and opens the clamp (4), releasing the cable (7) and pulling the cutoff component (5) and the cam (12) that drives the stem (13) upward pushing the flow through the valve (16) and the high pressure hose (17) towards the deposit.
 2. The tool of claim 1 wherein the fluid flowing from the container to the cylinder (15) and from the latter to the former, can be hydraulic, electric or gaseous in nature.
 3. The tool of claim 1 wherein the fluid enters the cylinder (15) from a valve (16) connected to a high pressure hose (17) connected to a deposit and returns to the latter pushed by the piston (14) return.
 4. The tool of claim 1 wherein each of the sides of the opening (1) is provided with a fastening handle (2) to the BOP valve.
 5. The tool of claim 1 wherein the container (A) is situated at the mouth of an oil well and complies adequate with the need of the installation location.
 6. The tool of claim 1 wherein the container (A) is made of any suitable material, preferably corrosion resistant metal.
 7. The tool of claim 1 wherein the side where the opening (1) is located, is selected according to the need for the installation location.
 8. The tool of claim 1 wherein the blind cover is removed to enable the flow of oil as for instance in the event that the well is moved. 